The game of chicken between the province and its teachers will likely culminate next Wednesday in a one-day walkout that will keep 30,000 students and 1,200 teachers in School District 43 out of the classroom unless a last-minute agreement can be reached.
While many lament the toll this will take on students and families, and the hurt it does to faith and trust in the education system generally, the truth is this is the only way to resolve bargaining, especially when both sides are so entrenched.
The stakes are so high that only the withdrawal of service can get the province's attention; at the same time, the province has equal stakes in the outcome and can only offer financial incentives or threats to get its point across.
Would it be nice if there was a better way to resolve differences? Absolutely. Usually at this stage, a mediator is appointed and the talks continue behind closed doors.
Let the teachers and the government make their stand then, please, get back to bargaining in earnest. Let's not see another month of uncertainty and discontent.
